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Saxon’s smile got bigger, and his dimples flashed. “Okay then, we’ll be there at four thirty.”
“Excellent,” Trev replied, sounding pleased. “I’ll see you both later.”
When he finally walked away, I felt relieved. I must have sighed that relief because I heard Saxon chuckle.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s a flirt. It’s how he is wired.”
I gazed out over the ranch and shrugged. “Other than the fact that he’s rich, I’ve dealt with guys like him before. It’s fine.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s something you deal with a lot.”
I turned my attention back to Saxon. “Why would you think that?” I asked, hearing the defensive tone in my voice. I hadn’t meant to sound like he had insulted me.
He almost looked embarrassed, and I found that interesting.
“Well, the way you look … guys notice you.”
I felt certain that was a compliment and only that. There was no flirty gleam in his eyes.
“Oh, um, thanks.” My response sounded awkward, and my cheeks warmed.
Saxon nodded his head toward the stables behind him. “Come on. Let me show you around.”
I fell into step beside him as he started walking. “Your mom mentioned that I needed to pick up some chores. I think you’re the one who’s supposed to give me some. She said I was needed out here more than inside or that I’d like it better. I’m not sure.”
“How do you feel about working around the horses?” he asked me.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m certain I don’t want to ride one or get too close.”
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“Before Trev arrived, I was watching one of these four-legged monsters rear up like he was trying to throw the rider off. It was terrifying.”
Saxon chuckled. “Iron War. He might be great one day. He has some emotional damage, but our best trainers are working with him now. Hopefully, they can turn him around. Don’t judge all horses because of him though.”
I didn’t feel convinced, and apparently, I didn’t look it either because Saxon led us into the stables and directly over to some stalls with horses in them. I stayed a few feet back as he walked up to a horse and began rubbing him and talking to him, as if the horse understood him.
“This is Rig,” he told me. “He’s brilliant, and he comes from a winning line of thoroughbreds. No first places for him yet, but he’s only two. He’s got a couple of third places and a second place.”
Saxon took a carrot out of his pocket and fed Rig from his hand. “That’s a good boy,” he said, then patted his forehead. “Come on,” he urged me, waving me closer.
Fine. I’d move a little closer.
“She’s scared of you, Rig. Be a gentleman,” he told the horse.
Rig made a sound, as if he were attempting to respond.
I moved another step closer.
Saxon reached out and took my hand, then pulled me close enough so that Rig could nudge me with his nose. I jumped, and Saxon laughed.
“He’s trying to ease your mind.”
“Oh. Well, it looked like he might eat me, like he did that carrot,” I replied.
“You’re not orange and crunchy,” Saxon said. “Here.” He took my hand and placed it on the horse. “See, it’s easy.”
When Saxon took his hand off mine, I began to slowly rub him the way I had seen Saxon do. Rig moved closer to me, and I felt a smile tug on my lips. He wasn’t scary at all.
